Don’t Read Books?

Like all previous years, the All Assam Publication and Book Sellers’ Association (AAPBSA) had decided to organize the Northeast Book Fair from November 27 to December 8 in Guwahati and even booked the Sonaram High School’s playground where the association had organized the fair last year. But when it approached the district administration for permission, it was told that the playground could not be allotted for the purpose due to ‘‘security reasons and probable traffic congestion’’. Another site at Chandmari where such fairs have been held in the past, too was rejected by the government on the grounds of security. When AAPBSA members approached Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi and State Industry and Power Minister Pradyut Bordoloi, both of them reportedly suggested that they should hold the fair in the Maniram Dewan Trade Centre that is located on the outskirts of the city. Since it will be difficult for people, especially students, to go that far, the AAPBSA has decided not to hold any book fair this time. This is a very bad news for book-lovers, thanks to the mindset of the Gogoi government that seems to have written off the great cause of books because it has better things to do on earth! Here is a government that has also given the impression that it is simply incapable of providing security to ordinary citizens. Or perhaps here is a government that has gone so high-tech that it is telling people not to read books because there is always the Internet to fall back on! THE SENTINEL